"Uncle Burns."
Standing at the corner of the Western-style house, Toru pressed the answer button on his phone.
"Adam, is there anyone near you?"
Toru glanced at Haibara, who was holding Kayako's hair while thinking, and said, "I'm at home."
"Good. The Organization has a new mission for you. This mission is very important."
"Uncle Burns, go ahead."
Toru frowned. What he hated most were these so-called "very important" missions.
Because missions like this were either extremely difficult or carried massive consequences.
Back when he was in America, his foundation had been too shallow. He still needed Spencer's protection and support.
So at that time, no matter how difficult the CIA's missions were, he did his best to complete them. It was all to build up a strong resume within the CIA and prepare for promotion.
Now that he had come to Japan and become a supervisor instead of a frontline operative, and even had a legitimate identity, he had slowly built up his own team here.
Under these circumstances, he was extremely resistant to the CIA's so-called important missions.
However, his wings were not fully grown yet. It was not time to openly break with Spencer.
Burns seemed to be choosing his words carefully. After a moment, he said, "Adam, the American election is coming up."
"I see."
Toru muttered to himself. The election? There were still several months left.
But for the two major parties in America, several months was already close enough. It was the peak of political maneuvering.
"That candidate from the Republican does not align with our interests."
Burns deliberately spoke vaguely. Saying things too clearly would leave evidence.
"He doesn't align with a lot of people's interests."
Toru's heart sank. He had a bad feeling.
"The CIA has a great deal of operational autonomy. No matter whether the Elephant or the Donkey, we answer only to the President."
"But the Director has only served four years. In theory, if someone from the Democratic Party becomes President, he can serve another term."
"After stepping down, he could become a senator, accumulate more political experience, and even run for President himself."
Burns left one thing unsaid. Once Spencer stepped down, Burns would have the chance to be nominated as the next CIA Director.
In fact, as long as he continued as Deputy Director for another four years, becoming the next Director was almost guaranteed.
All of this depended on Spencer's position remaining stable. Their interests were completely tied together.
That was why Spencer trusted him so much and not the other Deputy Directors.
"But if that candidate from the Republican Party takes office, Father will be removed, right?"
Toru spoke slowly.
"Not might be removed. He will definitely be removed. Adam, you may not know, but the Director and that candidate have a very poor relationship."
"That candidate has publicly stated that if he becomes President, he will replace the CIA Director."
"This completely contradicts the political path the Director designed for himself. It will leave a stain on his career. For the next four or even eight years, he will achieve nothing and be sidelined."
"That candidate will never allow the Director to take another important position. He may even be suppressed by the opposing party."
"Adam, you grew up in an orphanage. The Director discovered your talent, brought you into the CIA, trained you, and gave you everything you have today."
"Otherwise, at your age, no matter how many achievements you had, you could never have become a supervisor. Many people inside the CIA are already dissatisfied, saying this is favoritism."
Burns appealed to both logic and emotion, hoping to move him.
"I'm grateful for Father's support, Uncle Burns. Just say what you want to say."
"Adam, your abilities are outstanding even within the CIA. Your sniping skills are exceptionally stable. The Director hopes you will personally take action."
"You want me to assassinate that candidate?"
Toru's expression turned cold.
"Lower your voice. Even on an internal line, we monitor the world. Some things shouldn't be said so clearly."
"That won't be easy. The Secret Service aren't fools."
"Don't worry. The Director has already cleared the obstacles. When the time comes, the Secret Service will turn a blind eye."
"…What's the specific time and plan?"
"The plan is only a rough outline for now. He has been holding roadshows during his campaign. We'll choose an appropriate opportunity at one of them. The detailed plan will be decided closer to the date."
"Uncle Burns, I need time to consider this. It involves too much and has far-reaching consequences. I need to think carefully."
"Of course. I understand. This isn't something you can decide immediately. I'll wait for your answer."
Burns hung up.
Toru put away his phone, a cold smile forming on his lips.
Assassinate a presidential candidate under the world's spotlight?
If he did that, he would be dead for sure.
If he failed, Spencer would immediately abandon him. Then the CIA and intelligence agencies around the world would hunt him down.
Unless he suddenly became Superman, there would be no escape. He would definitely die, perhaps even becoming number one on America's most wanted list.
And even if he succeeded, his ending would not be any better.
If he succeeded, Spencer would seize all the evidence and control him completely. He would never be able to escape, forced to obey forever, just like Curacao once had.
With the evidence Spencer held, he could take Toru's life at any time.
Worse, even after success, there was a high chance Spencer would still discard him.
The moment the shot was fired, the Secret Service might turn their guns on him.
Even if he escaped the scene, he would become a global target.
John Wick had only been hunted by an assassin organization. Toru would be hunted by the entire world.
It reminded him of the movie Shooter.
The protagonist was ordered to protect the president, only to be framed for assassinating him. Toru suspected Spencer might be planning the same thing, pushing all the blame onto him.
He could not agree to this.
But given his position, refusing outright was difficult. For now, he could only stall.
"He really knows how to cause trouble. And this time, it's huge."
So how could he refuse?
…
Langley, America, CIA headquarters.
"Director."
"Burns, what did Adam say?"
"He said he needs time to think."
Burns answered truthfully.
Spencer, seated behind his desk, set down his coffee cup and said angrily, "Damn Adam. Has he forgotten everything I've done for him?"
Burns kept a neutral expression, though inwardly he scoffed.
In this line of work, who talks about gratitude?
Spencer stood, walked to the window, and looked down at the plaza below. After a long silence, he said, "Since Adam refuses, we'll execute Plan B and eliminate him first."
"Director, Adam is our CIA's most outstanding operative."
Burns felt a trace of sympathy and tried to speak up for him.
"No matter how outstanding he is, if he isn't loyal enough, he's useless."
"He already knows our plan. He cannot be allowed to remain. If he were loyal, he would not have hesitated."
"The fact that he chose to delay means he isn't loyal enough. Everything he showed me before was an act. How can I feel secure with someone like that?"
"Only when Adam is gone will I feel at ease."
Burns sighed inwardly. He dared not say more. Spencer might turn on him next.
"Director, who should we use? Many agents know Adam. It might not be safe."
"I won't use anyone from the agency. Adam once destroyed a major drug trafficking group in Colombia and killed their leader."
"But that organization isn't completely gone. Several drug lords are competing to claim leadership."
"If someone kills Adam and brings back his head, their prestige will skyrocket."
"Those drug traffickers are fearless. As long as we provide intelligence and weapons, a group of trained, desperate killers will ensure Adam has no chance of surviving."
With his hands behind his back, Spencer calmly laid out his plan.
He would use Toru's past enmity with the drug cartels to have them eliminate him.
"I'll leave it to you, Burns. Make sure Adam doesn't notice."
"Yes, Director."
Burns withdrew respectfully.
"You forced my hand, Adam. Don't blame me."
"It's a pity. You were a useful tool. But no matter how useful a tool is, if it can't be used for me, it has no value."
Spencer sat back down, picked up the now-cold coffee, and took a sip.
…
At Ikebukuro Station in Japan.
"Moeha-chan, I'm only in my second year of middle school. Can I really work part-time?"
A beautiful silver-haired girl asked her best friend and classmate, Moeha Fujiwara.
"No problem. My brother opened that shop. He'll definitely hire you."
"But I'm too young. Isn't that illegal?"
"Just say you know him and are helping out. That's fine. Even if you're young, can't you help a relative look after a store?"
Moeha was quite good at finding loopholes.
"Alright… Kei, I'll go with you. Don't be nervous."
She pushed Shirogane Kei forward as they walked toward a shop.
(To be continued.)